von Sochaczewski CO, Wenke K, Grieve A, Westgarth-Taylor C, Loveland JA, Metzger R, Kluth D. Regenerative capacity of the enteric nervous system: is immaturity defining the point of no return?
J Surg Res 2016;
209:112-121. [PMID:
28032547 DOI:
10.1016/j.jss.2016.09.035]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2016] [Revised: 09/14/2016] [Accepted: 09/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Intestinal obstruction in newborns is associated with intestinal motility disorders after surgery. Alterations in the enteric nervous system (ENS) might cause abnormal peristalsis, which may then result in intestinal motility disorders. We aimed to quantify alterations in the myenteric plexus after a ligation and to test if these alterations were reversible.
METHODS
Small intestines of chicken embryos were ligated in ovo at embryonic day (ED) 11 for either 4 d (ED 11-15) or 8 d (ED 11-19). Both treated groups and control group were sacrificed and intestinal segments examined by means of both light and electron microscopy.
RESULTS
The number of proximal myenteric ganglia increased (ED 19, 30.7 ± 3.16 versus 23.1 ± 2.03; P < 0.001) in the 8-d ligature group but had values similar to the control group in the 4-d ligature group. The size distribution was skewed toward small ganglia in the 8-d ligature group (ED 19, 83.71 ± 11.60% versus 3.88 ± 4.74% in the control group; P < 0.001) but comparable with the control group in the 4-d ligature group. Subcellular alterations in the 4-d ligature group were reversible.
CONCLUSIONS
The pathologic alterations in the ENS were fully reversible in the 4-d ligature group. This reversibility might be linked to the degree of immaturity of the ENS.
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